Location: Santiago de Compostela
Top Things to do in Santiago de Compostela
Top Restaurants in Santiago de Compostela
The 10 Best Things to do in Santiago de Compostela, Galicia
If you see nothing else in this World Heritage city, you simply must visit the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, an awe-inspiring confection of baroque architecture. Once you’ve regained composure, head out on a bicycle to see the rest of this glorious city. Foodies and boozehounds will delight in a guided gastronomy tour, while modernists will enjoy the Galician Center of Contemporary Art.
Restaurants in Santiago de Compostela
1. Camino de Santiago
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,083 reviews
A network of paths leading to a church holding the remains of St. James (Santo Iago), the patron saint of Spain...
Reviewed By davidsJ5671XD
We had booked a self-guided tour on the Portuguese Camino with Walks in Spain for September 2020 having been very happy with the arrangements they made for our 2008 Sarria to Santiago trip. My wife and I are both in our 70’s and have become very anxious with the Coronavirus about travelling. I called Paul to express our concerns expecting to at least forfeit our deposit and was pleasantly surprised when after explaining that we couldn’t rebook for next year he offered to return our deposit. I am impressed with the integrity and professionalism of this company, thank you Paul.
2. Plaza del Obradoiro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,327 reviews
Large, pleasant city plaza containing the church of St. James.
Reviewed By VadimM67 - Murmansk, Russia
Local residents joke that the 4 buildings surrounding the square around the perimeter embody the 4 pillars that hold Santiago de Compostela: religion (Cathedral), power (City Hall), tourism (- Parador-Hostal de Los Reyes Catholicos) and education (San Xeronime College). Of course, the main thing on the square is the magnificent West facade of the Cathedral. It is good day and night. Despite its medieval status, this Baroque beauty is relatively recent by historical standards. The facade was completed in 1740 by the architect Fernando de Casas Novoa . There`s Palace Raxoi behind. The City Hall is located here now. St. James in the form of a statue will be found here also. It was believed that his statue helped in the fight against the Moors during the Reconquista. If You look at the North side you can find the former hospital for pilgrims, built by the ideologues of the Reconquista, zealous Catholics and persecutors of Jews and Moors by Queen Isabella of Castile and king Ferdinand of Aragon. The Parador for pilgrims is now here. Finally, the 16th-century College of San Xeronime is located on the South side of the square. In addition to contemplating the Baroque beauty of the Cathedral, interesting performances are played out in the arcades of the city hall in the late afternoon. Perhaps this will be the best end of the day.
3. Museo do Pobo Galego
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 570 reviews
The Museum of Galician People was created in 1976 with the objectives of research and the preservation, dissemination, defence and promotion of Galician culture in all areas, and, specifically, to create and develop a museum at the service of these goals. The first rooms were opened in 1977. The Museum has permanent galleries dedicated to the sea, the trades, the land, el costume, the music, al habitat and architecture, the society and the press and printing. The criterion used in its creation aims to provide an overall view of all the different facets that define the culture of Galicia. Far from enclosing this complex cultural phenomenon within the physical realm of the museum, the aim is to provide a compendium of the diversity of Galicia which can serve as a reference for evaluating the variety of forms within the group and to encourage interest in first-hand knowledge and the search for future alternatives.
Reviewed By FJGonzalezG - Bethesda, United States
The Museo do Pobo Galego is housed in the Convent of San Domingos de Bonaval, outside the old walled city near the Porta do Camiño (gate to the Camino Francés). This is an ethnographic museum on the Galician people and their culture, which for centuries has included migration to other parts of Spain and the Americas. This part is interesting, but the highlight is a magical triple helical staircase of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the work of architect Domingo de Andrade. The stairwell swirls with three separate ramps that lead to different floors. Supposedly, the idea was to provide privacy, though I suspect it also provided segregation of ranks or classes. The rungs of the ladder are said to be made of a whole piece, set in an outer rib fit without joining the wall or each other. My wife and I explored the stairs like children, eventually making our way to the top floor, from where you have a great roof-top view of the city.
4. Cathedral De Santiago de Compostela
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 10,536 reviews
Reviewed By PilatesLady58 - Norwich, United Kingdom
The cathedral is an incredible building with its impressive baroque facade and is the culmination for some of a long journey along the Camino to reach Santiago. At the moment it’s best viewed from the outside only as there is major restoration work going on for holy year in 2021 when the work will be completed. It’s still worth visiting the cathedral museum which has some interesting artworks on display. You can also access the cloister and get views out over the square by the cathedral to the surrounding countryside. I’m sure it will be amazing when it’s done but currently the interior is literally a building site!
5. Monasterio de San Martin Pinario
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 579 reviews
Reviewed By VadimM67 - Murmansk, Russia
Given the renovation of the Cathedral built up with scaffolding, San Martin Pinario is more interesting for non-religious tourists to visit. Though of course, he relics of St. James are of incommensurably greater value than the carved benches of the monastery for pilgrims. San Martin Pinario is the second largest monastery in Spain after San Lorenzo in Escorial. But as you know, it is not the size that determines the value. The main southern facade of the monastery faces the Plaza de La Immacolata. Contrary to the city's tradition, the statue of St. Martin of Tours crowns the facade, not the St. James of Mavrovica. Martin is shown on a horse giving his clothes to a beggar. The Church of the monastery is another masterpiece of Galician Baroque performed by the different architects including Fernando de Casas y Novoa, who created the facade of the Cathedral. It was completed in 1652 and is a single-nave Church on the sides of which are placed six chapels. Three of them were touched by the genius of Fernando de Casas y Novoa. However, the general interior of the Church of San Martin Pinario was created by Mateo Lopez. The composition of the Benedictine Church of San Martin Pinario is similar to the famous Jesuit Church Il Gesu in Rome. The main altar is unusual, it faces traditionally to the nave, and the back side-to the choir of the monastic community. The main theme of iconography in the Church is dedicated to the image of the virgin Mary, who, according to the dogma of the immaculate conception, interrupted the sinfulness of the world. One of the side chapels is dedicated to the so-called English virgin, a symbol of English Catholics who fled from England from the persecution of Henry VIII. Baroque choirs are of no less artistic value. This masterpiece was created by Matteo de Prado from 1639 to 1647. the Monastery has not operated since the XIX century and part of the premises belongs to the Museum of religious art. You can get inside through the Church of St. Martino. A good collection of religious artifacts is located here: utensils, paintings, sculptures. The Church is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10: 30 to 13: 30 and from 16: 00 to 19: 00. Admission: 4 EUR for adults, 3 EUR for students, pilgrims and people over 65 years of age.
6. Parque de la Alameda
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 697 reviews
Reviewed By BuenosAiresFoodie - Buenos Aires, Argentina
Enjoyed strolling through this park on a regular basis and seeing the changing seasons and locals out enjoying the green space. Nice lookouts towards the cathedral and central Santiago.
7. Portico de la Gloria
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 525 reviews
Reviewed By 378marylinp - Milan, Italy
I just can't leave this church Santiago di completely with seeing and placing my Palm on this wall...
8. Botafumeiro
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,644 reviews
Reviewed By davidromana - Miami, United States
This Cathedral is monumental, so rich in history, its enormous altar, the Botafumeiro is a huge Incense burner used in the rituals, it is impressive, we are talking about centuries of historic events in this place
9. Hostal de los Reyes Catolicos
10. Santiago de Compostela. Casco Historico
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,620 reviews
Reviewed By FJGonzalezG - Bethesda, United States
I love walking in the historic center (Casco Historico) of Santiago de Compostela, rain or shine. We lucked with sunny, cool weather on a late February visit. But, even on a rainy March day a few years ago it was great. A World Heritage Site, the city dates to the IX Century, and retains much of its medieval character: Romanesque and Gothic architecture abounds along its cobblestoned streets. It also has a definite Galician character, with its houses providing overhanging sidewalks to protect shoppers from the rain. There are museums worth exploring, churches worth visiting, and cloisters imbued with beauty and serenity. On a more pedestrian note, there are plenty of shops ranging from tchotchkes for tourists to fancy silver works (or an ideal combination: a small silver orreo. There seems to be a bar or restaurant in every corner. I prefer the holes in the wall, where the prices are low, the cuisine authentic, and the menus in Spanish or Galician only. The Casco Historico is small enough to cover in a couple of hours, or a day of leisurely browsing, eating, and drinking. The more time you give yourself, the more you will enjoy it.
